Game Design Essentials: Tools, Theories and Techniques from Udemy

What's inside

Syllabus

Section 1: Setting Up for Success

Welcome!

About the Instructor and Game Design Thinking

Companion Website

0.1 & 0.2 Tiny Pixel Fights Instructions and Materials

Understand the role of the game designer, what set of skills are involved and what game mechanics are. In this section you will create your first board game.

Identifying the Elements of Asteroids

1.1. Asteroid Elements

What is a Game and What is Design

The Role of the Game Designer

Other Roles in Game Development

Game Design Specialisations

1.2. What is the role for you?

Games' Unique Feature

Game Mechanics

MDA and other Game Design Frameworks

1.3.1. & 1.3.2. List and Add Mechanics to Tiny Pixel Fights!

How to keep Improving as a Game Designer?

What Skills do you need to be a Game Designer?

Game Design Basics - References

Game Design Basics - Graphics & Slides

Quiz - Game Design Basics

Congratulations on Completing Section 2!

In this section, you will learn to understand the desires, wants and needs of your players. Using the Design Thinking method, you will use the knowledge about your players to create better games.

The Game Design Thinking Process

Game Concept: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Game Concept: The Beginner's Mindset

Game Pillars: Game Pillar Document

Ideate: Ideation Techniques

2.1. Using the SCAMPER technique on your favourite game

Define: The Three Brains (YouTube)

Define: The 5 Phases of Players’ Decision-Making

Define: Automatic vs. Rational Decision-making

Define: Interactive Loops for Decision-making

Define: Bad Decision-Making

Define: Interesting Decisions

Define: Self-Determination Theory

2.2. Brainstorming new mechanics

Prototyping and Playtesting: Three Hats For Analysing Games

Prototyping and Playtesting: Csikszentmihalyi's Flow Theory

2.3. Playtest your new mechanics!

The Game Design Thinking Process — Graphics & Slides

The Game Design Thinking Process — References

Quiz — The Game Design Thinking Process

Congratulations on Finishing Section 3

Can you leave us a review?

In this section, you will understand the purpose of GDD and pitching and how can be useful to communicate your game to different stakeholders.

What is a GDD?

Creating Compelling Documents

What content should a GDD have

GDD Content Checklist

Concept GDD: Part 1

Concept GDD: Part 2

3.1. Write a Concept GDD

Use presentations as a lethal weapon!

Pitching Your Game

Talk — 30 things I hate about your game pitch

3.2. Create a 3-minute presentation!

Communicating your Game

Communicating Your Game - References

Quiz — Communicating Your Game

Congratulations!

At the end of this section, you will have the tools to create simulations for your own games using tools like math, probability and spreadsheets.

Math & Probability in Games

Dependent and Independent Probability

Communicating Probabilities

Spreadsheets Basics

Using Spreadsheets for Modelling

4.1., 4.2. Balancing Tiny Pixel Fights

Handmade, Random and Procedural Elements

Playtesting Your Balance!

Math & Probability - References

Quiz — Math & Probability

Math & Probability - Slides

This section will give you the tools to understand real and game systems and analyze diagrams abstracting game systems

Introduction to Systems Thinking

Systemic Game Design

Deep vs. Wide Systems

Systems Elements

System Design Diagram Starter Pack

Feedback Loops

Dealing with Complex Systems

5.1.1. & 5.1.2. Find and Create some Feedback loops

5.2. What other systems can you add?

Introduction to Game Systems Design - References

Introduction to Game Systems Design - Slides

Quiz — Introduction to Game Systems Design

Farewell

Course survey

6.1. Moving the Game Forward

6.2. Sharing Your Companion Website

Acknowledgements and Attribution

Bonus Lecture

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Game Design Essentials: Tools, Theories and Techniques with these activities:

Review Game Design Terminology

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with core game design terms to better understand the course lectures and discussions.

Browse courses on Game Mechanics

Show steps

Create a glossary of key game design terms.
Find definitions and examples for each term.
Test your knowledge with flashcards or quizzes.

Read 'The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses'

Show steps

Gain a broader understanding of game design principles and techniques through a highly regarded book in the field.

View The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third... on Amazon

Show steps

Read a chapter each week.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.
Apply the lenses to games you play.

Design a Simple Board Game Prototype

Show steps

Apply the concepts learned in the course by designing and prototyping a simple board game.

Show steps

Brainstorm a game concept and core mechanics.
Create a paper prototype of your game.
Playtest your game with friends or family.
Iterate on your design based on feedback.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Analyze the Mechanics of a Favorite Game

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of game mechanics by analyzing a game you enjoy.

Show steps

Choose a game you know well.
Identify the core mechanics of the game.
Write a short essay describing how the mechanics work together.
Explain why these mechanics make the game fun.

Practice Balancing Game Mechanics with Spreadsheets

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of game balancing by creating spreadsheet models.

Show steps

Choose a simple game mechanic to balance.
Create a spreadsheet model to simulate the mechanic.
Adjust the parameters to achieve balance.
Document your findings and insights.

Read 'Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals'

Show steps

Explore the theoretical underpinnings of game design through a comprehensive academic text.

View Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals (Mit... on Amazon

Show steps

Read a section each week.
Summarize the key concepts in your own words.
Discuss the concepts with other students.

Create a Game Design Document (GDD) for Your Board Game

Show steps

Solidify your game design skills by creating a professional-quality GDD.

Show steps

Outline the sections of your GDD.
Write detailed descriptions of your game's mechanics, art style, and target audience.
Create mockups of your game's interface and assets.
Review and revise your GDD based on feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Game Design Essentials: Tools, Theories and Techniques will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

A career as a game designer involves creating and implementing the vision for a video game. This includes designing game mechanics, storylines, characters, and user interfaces. This course dives into the role of the game designer and other roles in game development, making it a perfect starting point for anyone looking to break into the field. The instruction on game parts, mechanics, and dynamics provides a solid foundation for designing engaging games. Those seeking to become a game designer should take this course to build a foundation for understanding what makes a game fun and how to keep players engaged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Lead Game Designer

A lead game designer oversees the entire design process of a video game, guiding a team of designers and ensuring that the game's vision is cohesive and compelling. This course offers insights into understanding game mechanics, dynamics, and the language of games, skills essential for guiding a design team. The instruction on communicating ideas to your team helps one pitch new ideas. If one aspires to lead a game design team, this course provides the knowledge and skills to effectively manage and inspire other designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lead Game Designer

User Experience Designer

A user experience designer ensures that a game is intuitive, enjoyable, and accessible for players. They focus on creating a seamless and engaging player experience. User experience designers should take this course, as it focuses on Design Thinking to better empathize with players. This human centered approach helps one understand how players perceive a game. This is where a user experience designer can leverage that understanding to optimize designs. The insights into player psychology are directly applicable to creating user centered designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Systems Designer

A systems designer creates the underlying rules and mechanics that govern a game's world. This involves designing complex systems that interact with each other to create emergent gameplay. This course offers a section on systemic game design, where learners of this course can create systemic gameplay. The instruction on feedback loops may help systems designers craft deeply engaging systems. Systems designers may find the course to be extremely helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Designer

Indie Game Developer

An independent game developer works on all aspects of game creation, often wearing multiple hats. This course may be perfect for indie game developers because it provides a foundation of frameworks to understand and practice game design. The instruction on documentation may help indie developers focus their approach. The course may provide indie developers with the broad skill set needed to create and release their own games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indie Game Developer

Game Producer

A game producer manages the development process of a video game, ensuring that it stays on schedule and within budget. They oversee the work of designers, artists, and programmers. Game producers will find this course useful because it provides a comprehensive overview of game design principles. Understanding what makes a game fun and engaging can help a producer make informed decisions about the game's direction. In particular, the instruction on communicating ideas to your team helps improve understanding. A game producer can also leverage the knowledge about documentation to manage the entire game development lifecycle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Producer

Narrative Designer

Narrative designers focus on creating compelling stories, characters, and dialogue that enhance the player's experience. Narrative designers collaborate closely with game designers and writers to ensure that the narrative aligns with the game's mechanics and themes. This course may be useful given its focus on communication. The instruction on game design documents may help with storytelling. The course may provide narrative designers with insights to create narratives that resonate with players and enhance overall enjoyment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Narrative Designer

Level Designer

A level designer creates the environments and layouts in which games take place. They focus on crafting spaces that are both visually appealing and conducive to engaging gameplay. This course emphasizes understanding game mechanics and how they contribute to the overall player experience. The course's focus on game mechanics and systems may help level designers create levels that enhance the player experience and provide meaningful challenges. The instruction on game design thinking may help designers better understand how to create better levels.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Economy Designer

An economy designer focuses on balancing the flow of resources in a game to ensure a fair and engaging experience for players. This involves designing systems for earning, spending, and trading resources. This course may be particularly useful due to its sections on math and probability. The instruction on using spreadsheets for game modelling is very useful. The course might help economy designers create balanced resource systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economy Designer

Gameplay Programmer

A gameplay programmer implements the game mechanics, artificial intelligence, and user interface elements that bring a game to life. This course emphasizes understanding game mechanics, dynamics, and systems, which are essential for gameplay programming. The instruction on math and probability in games may help gameplay programmers implement complex game systems. The course may provide gameplay programmers with a deeper understanding of the design principles that underpin their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gameplay Programmer

Technical Designer

A technical designer bridges the gap between design and programming, implementing game mechanics and features using scripting languages and game engines. Learners of this course may find the sections on math and probability in games helpful, as these skills are often used in technical design to balance gameplay. Additionally, the systems thinking section may help technical designers create systemic gameplay, which can lead to games that are interesting to play and watch. This course may provide technical designers with the tools to understand and implement complex game systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Designer

Game Writer

A game writer crafts the narrative, dialogue, and lore that bring a game's world to life. The course might be useful for game writers because it covers effective communication of game ideas and the creation of compelling game design documents. The sections on understanding player psychology and creating engaging game mechanics may help a game writer create more compelling stories that resonate with players. A game writer may find that the skills taught in this course help improve their storytelling capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Writer

Quality Assurance Tester

A quality assurance tester plays games to identify bugs, glitches, and design flaws. This role ensures that games are polished and bug free before release. While this course does not focus specifically on testing, it underscores the importance of understanding game mechanics and design principles, which are crucial for identifying issues during testing. The instruction on identifying elements of games helps one with quality assurance. Quality assurance testers may find the course helpful for better understanding the game development process and improving their ability to provide valuable feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Tester

Monetization Designer

A monetization designer focuses on implementing strategies to generate revenue from a game. This can involve designing in app purchases, subscriptions, or other monetization models. This course may be useful as it offers a framework to understand game design, including keeping players playing for longer. The section on understanding player psychology may help monetization designers. The course may provide monetization designers with the understanding of player motivations needed to design ethical monetization strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Monetization Designer

Game Artist

A game artist creates the visual assets for a video game, including characters, environments, and special effects. While this course does not directly teach art creation, it may help game artists understand how their work fits into the overall game design process. The focus on game mechanics and player psychology may enable artists to create more visually appealing and engaging assets. The instruction on understanding the language of games may prove useful. This course may help game artists collaborate more effectively with designers and programmers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Game Design Essentials

Tools, Theories and Techniques

What's inside

Syllabus

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Featured in The Course Notes

Reading list

Share

Similar courses